John McCain visits Bhutan, gives tips on democracy

John McCain visited the world's youngest democracy on Thursday, one month after he lost the race to lead the world's oldest.

McCain stopped in Bhutan, a tiny Buddhist kingdom nestled high in the Himalayas between India and China, while on a tour of South Asia.

He was joined by Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, two frequent companions during his campaign for president.

Bhutan, known for its unique index that measures its citizens' Gross National Happiness, is a beautiful place. It's not a bad place for McCain to hang out while Washington is aflutter with the impending presidency of his former Democrat rival, Barack Obama.

The country was in the news earlier this year for its first-ever democratic elections, bringing an end to a 100-year-old monarchy. In 2002, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck voluntarily gave up absolute power and called for a constitutional democracy.

While in Bhutan, McCain, Lieberman and Graham met with the newly-elected officials, including the prime minister and chief justice. They also met with the new king, 28-year-old Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, who functions mostly as a figurehead (he's pictured with the senators above). 

According to the Bhutan Observer, McCain praised the "extraordinary quality of leadership" in Bhutan at a press conference yesterday.

“We intend to encourage our friends and colleagues to get to know Bhutan better because I think it can serve as an example to many other parts of the world that have either tried and failed or are struggling towards freely electing democratic governments," McCain said.

Graham was equally effusive. “We’ve travelled all over the world and I don’t think I have met a group of people that are more informed and have a more sophisticated view of the world and the region than the people here and the officials of Bhutan," he said.

The senators then gave the Bhutanese a little advice.

“You can lose the election in America but not lose your voice, not lose your property; so I would encourage the government and the people to make sure that you have honest and fair judges, that the judiciary be above politics,” Graham said.

“I think it will serve this country well to have a strong legal system that will set people and property apart from politics," he added.

-- Kate Linthicum

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Photo credit: Bhutan Observer